CINCINNATI – Hindman’s Friday, April 21 Native American Art auction will be anchored by a strong selection of 19th-century ledger art, highlighted by a one-of-a-kind Rosebud Agency sketchbook by a Native artist known as “Jack,” which descended directly through the family of Captain Charles A.H. McCauley and is estimated at $50,000-$75,000. The ledger art, alongside the 19th-century weaponry and beadwork, portrays warriors and life on the Plains. The sale also features material from the Eastern Woodlands and Great Lakes, historic and modern Puebloan pottery and paintings, and ethnographic objects from the Arctic. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
The sketchbook illustrations by Jack are typical of Plains ledger art originating in the last quarter of the 19th century, particularly in its subject matter. Stylistically, the drawings are in a mannerist-romantic style, possessing a three-dimensionality and sense of movement that is somewhat atypical of earlier ledger drawings and is notably striking in appearance. While 19th-century ledger art is hard to come by in any form, an intact sketchbook that retains the narrative order of the drawings is exceedingly scarce.
Though the exact identity of Jack is not certain, a “Jack” does appear (circa 1847-circa 1920) on the Indian Census rolls at Rosebud Agency, and is identified as “Lower Band of Brule Sioux” as well as “Yankton” and “Rosebud” Sioux. The collector of this sketchbook, Captain Charles A.H. McCauley, also had in his archive a pencil drawing by an unknown Sioux artist of author and activist Luther Standing Bear (1868-1939).
Cheyenne ledger drawing, estimated at $25,000-$35,000
Additional ledger art highlights to be offered include a Cheyenne example featuring a colorfully drawn battle scene, estimated at $25,000-$35,000, and two Arapaho drawings from the Edwards ledger book, each individually estimated at $25,000-$35,000.
“I am very excited about this auction, which is made up of three centuries of beautiful works from across North America,” said Vice President and Senior Specialist of Native American Art Danica Farnand. “I’m especially thrilled by the Plains material we have in the sale. The clubs, tomahawks, and bows coupled with the ledger art, graphically and tangibly tell the stories of Plains warrior societies.”
The sale will feature exceptional material from a wide range of regions, particularly from the Eastern Woodlands and Great Lakes. Highlights include a 19th-century Great Lakes ball club, estimated at $4,000-$6,000; and a late 18th- or early 19th-century Eastern Woodlands elm burl bowl estimated at $12,000-$18,000.
Sioux quilled and beaded hide shirt, estimated at $25,000-$35,000
Robert Streett’s collection is a stunning display of life in the Great Lakes region, ranging from beadwork and clothing to weapons and utilitarian objects. Beadwork highlights include a pair of mid-19th century Haudenosaunee beaded and quilled hide moccasins, estimated at $5,000-$7,000; a single Huron black-tanned quilled moccasin dating to the first half of the 19th century, estimated at $1,500-$2,500; and a late 19th-century Sioux quilled and beaded hide shirt, estimated at $25,000-$35,000.
Noteworthy lots also include a range of pottery, such as a painted redware pottery plate made between 1925 and 1943 by Maria and Julian Martinez (San Ildefonso, 1887-1980 and 1885-1943, respectively) and estimated at $20,000-$40,000; and a fourth quarter 19th-century Zuni polychrome pottery olla, estimated at $8,000-$10,000.
Top lots of the sale also include a Northwest carved speaker staff with an estimate of $20,000-$30,000 and a Northern Plains spontoon pipe tomahawk estimated at $20,000-$25,000.
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